The Crows are understood to have made the call on their leadership group for 2013, with van Berlo poised to be given the No.1 job for the third consecutive year.

This would see him equal the reign of previous captain Simon Goodwin.

Club legend Mark Ricciuto holds the record as the Crows' longest-serving captain, leading the club for seven years from 2001-07.

Two years after being ranked last among the AFL captains by GWS coach Kevin Sheedy, van Berlo's star continues to rise.

The 26-year-old is highly respected for his on and off-field leadership. He will eventually hand the captaincy baton to superstar teammate Patrick Dangerfield but the Crows see no reason to make a change yet.